On the interplay of roles and power

In this paper a formal analysis of multi-agent systems based on organizational and normative concepts is presented. In particular, social agents and multi-agent systems have structure which is underpinned by roles. Power is legitimized within a social context and it stems from a role, in other words it is based on authority relations between agents. How roles are intertwined with commitments, obligations, power, rights and authority relations is discussed.